(PHOENIX, Ariz) — Drivers in the northwest Valley are now using newly built southbound lanes along Loop 303 between Grand and Peoria avenues, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation.

The three new southbound lanes, stretching a total of seven miles, are part of a project to improve Loop 303 into a six-lane freeway in the Surprise area. Traffic had most recently been sharing the northbound side of the freeway until crews could open the new southbound lanes in time for the Monday-morning commute.

Loop 303 will continue to have one northbound lane north of Peoria Avenue to near Grand Avenue until crews complete other work, including adding a layer of quiet rubberized asphalt, by this fall. Rubberized asphalt was recently added to the new southbound lanes.

This project is one within a series ADOT has underway to improve Loop 303 into a wider freeway between Interstate 10 in Goodyear and Grand Avenue in Surprise by fall 2014. The work includes construction of the multilevel interchange that will connect Loop 303 with I-10.

Loop 303 work will also require some cross-street restrictions near the freeway in the coming weeks while crews work along ramps and within intersections. Local business access will be maintained. Work schedules are subject to change due to inclement weather.

Initial cross-street closures between Sarival Avenue and Cotton Lane and ramp closures are scheduled as follows:

• Northbound Loop 303 off- and on-ramps at Greenway Road will remain closed until the week of July 22 for additional construction

• Cactus Road and the northbound Loop 303 ramps at Cactus also closed until the week of July 22 for additional construction

Additional information about Loop 303 improvement projects is available at azdot.gov/loop303.

(PHOENIX, Ariz) — Drivers in the northwest Valley are now using newly built southbound lanes along Loop 303 between Grand and Peoria avenues, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation.

The three new southbound lanes, stretching a total of seven miles, are part of a project to improve Loop 303 into a six-lane freeway in the Surprise area. Traffic had most recently been sharing the northbound side of the freeway until crews could open the new southbound lanes in time for the Monday-morning commute.

Loop 303 will continue to have one northbound lane north of Peoria Avenue to near Grand Avenue until crews complete other work, including adding a layer of quiet rubberized asphalt, by this fall. Rubberized asphalt was recently added to the new southbound lanes.

This project is one within a series ADOT has underway to improve Loop 303 into a wider freeway between Interstate 10 in Goodyear and Grand Avenue in Surprise by fall 2014. The work includes construction of the multilevel interchange that will connect Loop 303 with I-10.

Loop 303 work will also require some cross-street restrictions near the freeway in the coming weeks while crews work along ramps and within intersections. Local business access will be maintained. Work schedules are subject to change due to inclement weather.

Initial cross-street closures between Sarival Avenue and Cotton Lane and ramp closures are scheduled as follows:

• Northbound Loop 303 off- and on-ramps at Greenway Road will remain closed until the week of July 22 for additional construction

• Cactus Road and the northbound Loop 303 ramps at Cactus also closed until the week of July 22 for additional construction

Additional information about Loop 303 improvement projects is available at azdot.gov/loop303.